Jeannot Painchaud’s love for the circus dates back to 1984. After starting out as a performer, he moved into artistic direction and subsequently co-founded Cirque Éloize with six other Magdelan Islanders in 1993.

His approach is focused on blending multiple backgrounds, celebrating risk and incorporating other art forms within the realm of acrobatics. Over the past 25 years, he has promoted the circus arts on the international stage while staging some 15 shows noted for their poetry and humanity.